PNP chief recalls policemen assigned to gov’t officials

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 23 (PIA) --- The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered the immediate recall of police personnel serving as part of the security details of local public officials.

 PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez gave the order after stakeholders raised concerns on poor police visibility in the province.

 He said policemen assigned to local government officials must return to their respective units, perform police functions and heightened police presence on the ground.

 On March 22, the PNP Chief held a stakeholders consultation to hear security concerns in the province and provide guidance in the local security preparations for the upcoming elections.

 The PNP has identified 19 election watch list areas in the province due to intense political rivalry and armed threats.

 Noting that the success of the elections will not be possible without the help of the stakeholders, General Marquez instructed the Provincial PNP Office to engage with community members in the crafting of the local election security plan.

 He said the participation of the community members is essential in developing peaceful communities. (APB/PIA-10

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DILG Lanao del Sur urges citizens to attend barangay assembly day

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 23 (PIA) --- The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) here in the province is urging barangay residents to attend their respective barangay assembly on March 26.

Johanna Lucman, chief of the DILG Provincial Office Barangay Affairs Unit, said the Barangay is expected to let its constituents know about the State of the Barangay (SOBA), its accomplishments and financial status, and priority projects under the recently launched Barangay Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) program.

She said the assembly is a good venue for barangay officials and community members to discuss various issues and concerns affecting their barangay to further improve the delivery of basic services to constituents.

Other discussions will include the barangay compliance to DILG Memorandum Circular 2014-18 regarding the posting of barangay budget, annual procurement plan, and other financial reports; revitalization of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council; barangay registration of kasambahay; and issues on disaster preparedness and solid waste management; among others.

The barangay gathering is in compliance with Section 397 of the Local Government Code which enjoins the conduct of assembly twice a year.
It shall be composed of all persons who are actual residents of the barangay for at least six months, fifteen years of age or above, Philippine citizens, and duly registered in the list of barangay assembly members

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DOH ARMM bats for increased awareness on Zika virus

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 12 ---  The Department of Health in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) has reminded residents not to be alarmed notwithstanding reports on Zika infection cases in the country.

Christine Joy Capin, DOH-ARMM assistant program nurse coordinator on emerging and re-emerging diseases, said that instead of panicking, the public should be “ready and aware” of the virus and its possible complications.

Recently, an American woman who visited the country in January tested positive for Zika virus upon returning home. She was the country’s second laboratory-confirmed case of the mosquito-borne disease. The country had its first reported case of Zika virus infection in 2012, specifically a 15-year-old boy in Cebu.

Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the same type of mosquito that causes dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. Zika infection symptoms are similar to those attributed to other mosquito-borne infections such as fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, pain behind the eyes and vomiting.

To help protect the residents especially the children, from the virus, DOH-ARMM with the region’s Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, Local Government Units, and non-government organizations provided and installed insecticide-treated screens (ITS) in the region’s public elementary schools.

Capin said the screens were treated with insecticides that can keep out disease-carrying mosquitoes. These screens have to be installed on windows, or doors, of classrooms. She said the ITS’s effectivity can be as long as five years. Each roll extends 1.5 meters by 25 meters and can cover four to six classroom windows.

DOH-ARMM earlier received 120 rolls of ITS from the national government. Capin said they already distributed 70 rolls while the remaining 50 rolls were stocked in the region for emergency purposes.

The ITS rolls were distributed in the five provinces and two cities of the region. She said 20 rolls went to the province of Sulu and 10 rolls each to the other four provinces namely Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, and 10 each to the cities of Lamitan and Marawi.

The Zika virus has yet to be associated with deaths among adults in the region. However, there is growing evidence that the virus can be harmful to fetuses, causing potentially fatal birth defects such as microcephaly, a birth defect wherein the size of a baby’s head is smaller than expected for his age and sex.

The virus can be sexually transmitted by a man to his sex partner. A woman could pass on the virus to her fetus during pregnancy. As of date, there are no available vaccines, or specific medicines, to prevent and treat Zika infections.

Carin said the best way to prevent Zika infection is to prevent mosquito bites through methods such as using insect repellant, using window and door screens, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. (BPI/APB/PIA-10

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Increased investments in ARMM due to good governance, cite bizmen

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 12 ---  Business leaders in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have cited good governance as among the major reasons for increased investments in the region during a meeting with Switzerland’s ambassador to the Philippines Andrea Reichlin.

The main subject of the meeting, hosted recently by the Regional Board of Investments (RBOI), was on inclusive peace and development in ARMM.

The business leaders noted their active participation, as well as that of other civil society groups, in consultations and monitoring of the regional government’s projects and policies has been effective in promoting peace and development under the administration of Governor Mujiv Hataman.

The group further expressed confidence that the climate for investments in the ARMM would remain positive this year. Last year, RBOI posted P6.5 billion in fresh capital infusion, the best year ever in terms of investments in the 25-year history of the ARMM.

In January, RBOI chairman Ishak Mastura said, the region already exceeded its investment target of P700 million for 2016 with the registration of the P1.3 oil-palm plantation project of Gintong Agri, Inc. in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

The business group comprises officials of the Promotion of Investment Sustainability Organization (PISO), the Metro Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muslim Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kutawato, the Bangsamoro Business Club, and big business investors in the region, such as Lamsan Corn Starch factory, Agumil Oil Palm Milling, Unifrutti Banana Plantation and Matling Cassava Starch Milling.

PISO is the organization of all RBOI-registered firms co-convened with RBOI by Edgardo Bullecer of the Unifrutti Group, one of the biggest foreign investors in the ARMM with its P3.7 billion Cavendish banana project in Maguindanao.

Also at hand to welcome Ambassador Reichlin was Cotabato City Administrator Dr. Danda Juanday, former Bangsamoro Development Agency chairman, an active civil society and business leader and proponent of peace and development in the region.

It was the Swiss ambassador’s first visit to the region. She was accompanied by the Swiss embassy’s Human Security advisor and First Secretary Martina Schmidt.

RBOI chairman Mastura said the ARMM regional government and the Bangsamoro people are grateful to the government of Switzerland for its active support to peace and development, particularly in sponsoring the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission, a body established in the peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Based on latest government data, there are an estimated 60 Swiss companies operating in the Philippines employing around 12,000 people. The biggest and most well-known among the Swiss brands in the country is food conglomerate, Nestle, which has been operating in the Philippines since 1911.

Relations with the Philippines were established in 1862, when Switzerland opened its consulate in Manila. Bilateral trade in 2014 stood at an estimated US$557 million.

The two governments concluded on March 3 their 7thpolitical consultations in Berne, the capital of Switzerland, in preparation for the 2nd Session of the Philippines-Switzerland Joint Economic Commission, which will take place in April this year. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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BFP reminds public to be fire safety cautious

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 10 (PIA) --- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in Lanao del Sur is reminding the public to be cautious against the dangers of fire during summer season.

BFP Provincial Information Officer FO1 Sahara Macunte Gania said safety precautions should always be taken to prevent fires in homes, offices and communities

Always unplug electrical appliances and switch off the main source of power when leaving your house to avoid fire incidents, Gania reiterated during the Ozor ka, Ranao! radio program of the Philippine Information Agency and Radyo ng Bayan in the province.

According to the BFP, the common cause of fire incidents recorded in the province is electrical short-circuit connections.

Last year, 29 fire incidents transpired in the province causing damage of around P6,820,000. BFP further recorded seven fire incidents from January to March 8, this year, with estimated damage of P3,000,000.

Gania advised to unplug electrical appliances, including, mobile phone chargers, after every use.

Other fire safety tips shared by the BFP include properly storing matches, lighters and other combustibles and keeping them out of children’s reach; regular checking electrical installations; keeping lighted candles in holders or basin partly filled with water; and never leaving the kitchen while cooking.

Gania also recommended having an emergency exit plan.

Above all, stay calm in case of fire and contact the nearest fire station.

March is observed as the National Fire Prevention Month in line with Presidential Proclamation 115-A to raise awareness on fire safety practices and prevention measures.

To intensify fire safety advocacy, the BFP Lanao del Sur is also conducting Ugnayan sa Barangay to reach out far-flung areas and educate residents on basic fire prevention practices. (APB/PIA-10)

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RCBW-ARMM urges voters to elect pro-women candidates

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 9 (PIA) --- The Regional Commission on the Bangsamoro Women in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RCBW) urged voters in the province of Lanao del Sur to elect candidates with pro-women agenda.

The appeal was made by RCBW Chairperson Sittie Jehanne Mutin to mark the International Women’s Day celebration in the province.

For the Bangsamoro women to be truly empowered, we must vote wisely and choose candidates that will carry the agenda of women, said Mutin during the women’s day program held March 8, at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall, Marawi city.

She said voters should ask the stand of their candidates on issues relevant to women.

“Itanong natin sa mga lalaking kandidato kung dala-dala ba nila ang agenda ng kababaihan. Sa mga babaeng kumakandidato naman, tanungin din natin sila kung sila ba ay kumakatawan sa ating mga kababaihan?” (Let’s ask us our men candidates if they are carrying the agenda of women.  On the part of the women candidates, let’s also ask them if they are representing the women sector?), she added.

Mutin said the agenda is to get more women in politics, more women voices to be out, and women to decide what is best for them.

The RCBW chair also challenged the next administration to push forward pro-women agenda.

“Hindi po ba na hindi kumpleto ang lahat ng development kung walang kababaihan? Ang babae ay hindi flower vase kundi katuwang sa lahat,” (The development will not be complete without the women. A woman is not a flower vase, she is a  partner to development), she further said.

The women’s day celebration was anchored on the theme “Kamapiyaan ni Juana, Irakes sa Bitiyara” (Welfare of Women, Include it in the Agenda) to echo the inclusion of women’s concerns in leadership platforms and government development agenda. (APB/PIA-10)

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PAMANA, DOST-ARMM to provide free internet in public places

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 9 (PIA) --- The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will provide free internet connection to public places in the coming months to improve residents’ access to opportunities.

The free internet access will be funded by the ARMM’s Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-ARMM.

Abdelnur Campong, chief of information and communications technology of the ARMM governor's office, said PAMANA will initially provide internet connection to public places in five identified local government units – one site in each province under the ARMM.

The project aims to provide connectivity and free internet access and avenue for service delivery mechanism enhancement in the areas of education, health, and disaster preparedness.

“The focus is to establish connectivity in government service agencies or offices to improve government services,” Campong said.

He said that the connectivity is for use of the PAMANA communities availing government services such as online registration for birth certificate, marriage certificate, and National Bureau of Investigation clearance, among others.

In January and February, the project’s Technical Working Group conducted a series of site validation to find strategic places for the connections and the presence of internet service providers in the areas.

The target local government units are Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao, Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, Jolo in Sulu, and Lamitan City in Basilan.

A total of P50 million was allocated for the entire year under the 2016 PAMANA ARMM Fund.

PAMANA is the national government’s peace and development framework that caters specifically to peace and development issues of conflict-affected communities.

Meanwhile, the DOST-ARMM will also embark on internet connection to more than 80 identified sites across the region. The project, dubbed ‘Juan Konek’, will install free internet connectivity to public places such as plazas, parks, schools and health facilities.

“This project aims at accelerating the government’s efforts in enhancing internet accessibility for Filipinos to accelerate economic, social and educational opportunities,” DOST-ARMM Secretary Myrah Mangcabung said.

The project is the national government’s initiative directly in line with the “Internet For All” thrust identified in the Philippine Digital Strategy 2011-2016.

The project, launched in July 2015, received P3 billion in total funding. The free internet can be accessed through 7,118 sites nationwide across 967 towns. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM leaders, poll candidates sign peace covenant

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 9 (PIA) – Regional officials and candidates running for various positions in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) expressed their support for peaceful elections this coming May.

The region’s leaders have signed last week a peace covenant that requires them to abide with election rules and regulations, to maintain good relations with each other, avoid any form of fraud for an honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections.

Ma. Amelia Rowena Guanzon, commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and head of the agency’s Gender and Development Focal Point System (GAD-FPS) executive committee, said the signing will seal the commitment of the candidates for peaceful elections.

“I hope that this peace covenant will bind each of the candidates to the value of mutual respect, non-violence and peace,” said Commissioner Guanzon.

She also assured the public that the agency is determined to have orderly and peaceful elections in the country especially in the ARMM.

“We assure you that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are working with the Comelec to ensure that we will have zero election-related violence in the 2016 elections,” she said.

PNP statistics showed 391 incidents of Election-Related Violence (ERVs) were recorded in the 2010 national elections, and 196 in the 2013 midterm elections.

ERVs refer to “acts or threats of coercion, intimidation or physical harm committed to affect an electoral process.” The PNP considers ERVs as violent incidents that happened within the election period.

The covenant was signed during a forum on gender and ERVs held on Friday, March 4, at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex.

The forum, spearheaded by the Comelec and the ARMM Regional Commission in Bangsamoro Women (RCBW-ARMM), was the first in the country and was aimed at discussing the connection between gender and ERV cases in the Philippines as well as “gather recommendations and best practices to combat ERVs, especially against women.”

Sittie Jehanne Mutin, RCBW-ARMM chair, said the forum does not only provide the participants a platform for exchange of gender sensitive ideas but also updates on election-related policies and activities. She added that “it is a step to a violence free, gender-balanced society.”

Around 700 participants including stakeholders from the House of Representatives’ Committee on Women and Gender Equality, officers of the PNP and the AFP, representatives from political parties, national, regional and local candidates, the academe, women and religious groups, attended the forum. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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RCBW-ARMM moves to curb election-related violence against women

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 4 (PIA) - The Regional Commission on Bangsamoro Women-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RCBW-ARMM) conducts today a forum on Gender and Election Related Violence (ERV) to help encourage greater participation of women in the upcoming presidential elections and bring down election-related violence in the region.

Sittie Jehanne Mutin, chairperson of the RCBW-ARMM, said the forum aims to discuss the connection between gender and ERV cases in the country, and gather recommendations and best practices to combat ERVs, especially against women.”


“Women’s political participation remains low in the Philippines,” Mutin said.
The RCBW-ARMM said only 19 percent of the candidates in the national, local and regional level in the upcoming May 2016 elections are women. In the 2013 mid-term elections, 18 percent of the candidates who got elected to office are women.


"Adding to the challenges on the stereotypes on the roles of women and lack of encouragement and support for women's active participation in election, is the vulnerability of women as easy targets for ERVs," Mutin added.

ERVs refer to "acts or threats of coercion, intimidation or physical harm committed to affect an electoral process." The Philippine National Police (PNP) considers ERVs as violent incidents that happened within the election period.


According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), a total of 391 incidents of ERVs were recorded in the 2010 national elections, and 196 in 2013 midterm elections.

Participants of the forum include stakeholders from the House of Representatives Committee on Women and Gender Equality, Directors of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), representatives from political parties, national, regional and local candidates, the academe, women and religious groups.

The RCBW-ARMM also enlisted the commitment and support of participants in promoting better political participation for women and in ensuring a peaceful and violence-free election in the ARMM. (BPI/APB/PIA-10)

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ARMM provides Andriod tablets to LGUs to promote efficient health info

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, March 3 (PIA) - The Department of Science and Technology in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOST-ARMM) distributed Android tablets with “eHATID” application to local government units (LGUs) to improve the efficiency and transparency of health information in the region.

Mon-Em Abangad, DOST-ARMM information officer, said the provision of the tablet falls under the agency’s eHATID LGU project (eHealth TABLET for Informed Decision-Making of LGUs).

“The DOST-ARMM provides two Android tablets for each LGU, one of which will be used by the Local Rural Health Units. The project is free of charge and we initially targeted a total of 70 LGUs in ARMM as beneficiaries,” said Abangad.

The eHATID is a software application offering real-time access to health information among LGUs and medical doctors.

The project provides health information system support through an online and offline Electronic Medical Record that generates particular health reports for the Department of Health and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

It aims at improving efficiency and transparency among stakeholders using an enhanced health information system model that promotes health information convergence and informed decision-making.

As of date, a total of 61 LGUs in the region already benefited from the project.

Abangad encouraged other LGUs to avail of the project by submitting a letter of intent to the agency.

“Once the LGU has submitted its letter of intent duly signed by the local chief executive, DOST-ARMM will assess application based on selection criteria,” said Abangad.

To be eligible, the LGU must comply with the following: local chief executive support for innovations; presence of development-oriented projects in the LGU; responsive health sector; and internet connectivity and technical readiness.


The eHATID LGU data are synced to a central database via cloud facilities of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute of DOST. The system has security protocols that are strictly implemented to comply with the policies and program requirements for data security, privacy and confidentiality. (BPI-ARMM/PIA-10)

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